Kami Rita Sherpa starts bid for 32nd Everest summit

By AI, Created 5:33 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Kami Rita Sherpa has started a new Mount Everest expedition in Nepal aimed at extending his own world record to 32 summits. The attempt begins as route fixing in the Khumbu Icefall has taken longer than usual, delaying the first summit push until the next weather window.

Why it matters: - A 32nd successful ascent would extend Kami Rita Sherpa’s record for the most Everest summits in history. - The attempt would further cement Kami Rita Sherpa’s place in high-altitude mountaineering after decades on the world’s highest peak. - Kami Rita Sherpa also holds the record for the most ascents of 8,000-meter peaks, with 42 total summits, including K2 in Pakistan.

What happened: - Kami Rita Sherpa has begun his latest expedition to Mount Everest in Nepal. - The goal is a 32nd summit, which would break his own record. - Kami Rita Sherpa has already completed 31 Everest ascents between 1994 and 2025. - True Summit Adventures said Kami Rita Sherpa will make his attempt when the first weather window opens. - Oliver Browne, founder of True Summit Adventures, said Kami Rita Sherpa’s experience and longevity on Everest are “unrivalled.”

The details: - The 2026 Everest season began with delayed route fixing through the Khumbu Icefall because of an overhanging ice serac. - The rope-fixing team is expected to open the route to the summit in the coming days. - Kami Rita Sherpa has spent more than three decades climbing in the Himalaya. - True Summit Adventures says Kami Rita Sherpa also brings his expertise to Nepal journeys offered by the company, including luxury trekking and climbing experiences in the Everest region. - True Summit Adventures operates luxury expedition and adventure travel trips in extreme environments and focuses on “icon-led” adventures. - The company’s website is the company’s announcement.

Between the lines: - The delayed icefall route work adds risk and uncertainty to the season’s first summit efforts. - Kami Rita Sherpa’s record chase is also a showcase for the small group of guides with deep Everest experience, which remains a major selling point for expedition companies. - Browne framed the climb as unusual not just for the record chase, but for the durability required to keep returning to Everest year after year.

What’s next: - The rope-fixing team is expected to finish opening the route in the coming days. - Kami Rita Sherpa’s summit push will begin when a weather window opens. - If successful, Kami Rita Sherpa will set a new Everest record at 32 summits. - True Summit Adventures continues to market Nepal trekking and climbing journeys tied to its guide roster.